Automation Technology MCS 1280 Series, User Manual

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28 MCS Manual Rev. 1.4
Operational Reference
Measuring Principle
The sensor acquires height profiles and height images based on the laser triangulation principle.
According to this method a laser line is projected on the object from one direction. The imager
sensor views the object from another angle defining the triangulation geometry. The resulting
sensor image is evaluated by the embedded processor and converted into a single height profile.
By scanning the laser line over the object, a complete height image can be acquired.
The figure below demonstrates the typical triangulation geometry. The following notation is used
in the approximation of height resolution:
Δ X= resolution along the laser line (lateral)
Δ Y= resolution perpendicular to the laser line (longitudinal in the direction of motion)
Δ Z= height resolution
Measurement Geometry
The laser line is projected perpendicular to the object surface, while the camera views the object
under the triangulation angle
α
. The height resolution can be approximated: ΔZ ≈ ΔX / sin(
α
)